Category: Health

Treatment 

By Oluwafunke Ishola 

Lagos, June 20, 2024 (NAN) An Epidemiologist, Dr Japhet Olugbogi, has warned Nigerians against using mixture of carbonated drink and seasoning cubes as prevention and treatment measures for cholera disease.

Olugbogi, former Head of NMA Lagos COVID-19 response and Medical Officer of Health at Ifelodun LCDA, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos. 

He gave the warning in response to several social media posts touting the use of Coca-Cola and Maggi combination as a prevention and treatment for cholera. 

Olugbogi said the mixture was not a medical solution, noting that toxicology tests from the combination might be harmful for the health and well-being of individuals. 

“That combination I believe is more expensive than using Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS). Why would anybody want to substitute ORS for Maggi and Coca-Cola?.

“That’s alarming. ORS is a solution that’s tested, proven and trusted to treat cholera or diarrhea or gastroenteritis disease. 

“If somebody has hypoglycemia (low sugar), of course, the individual can be given Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Miranda or Fanta or any of those carbonated drinks but in measured doses.

“Combining Coca-Cola with Maggi for cholera treatment is not a medical solution,” he said.

The public health expert emphasised that cholera could be easily treated through prompt administration of ORS or preparing the salt and sugar solution to help individuals.

He recalled that during the  COVID-19 and Ebola outbreak, some people promoted using salt water to bathe as a cure for the diseases, stressing that it was a hoax that caused complications and death to some individuals. 

Olugbogi cautioned the public against practicing things seen online, stressing that health advisory from physicians and health regulators should be strictly adhered to, to  ensure health safety. 

On preventive measures against cholera, Olugbogi advised that people washed their hands with soap and running water, before and after eating, and after using the toilet. 

“Washing our hands with soap and water alone is a huge step in controlling and preventing this viral outbreak.

“Apart from that, people should ensure they keep their waste safely in containers away from flies because flies pick up germs and bacteria from the waste or fecal matter and drop them when they perch on food items.

“We should also dispose of refuse properly, maintaining good hygienic practices is critical to reduce transmission of cholera,” he said. 

He advised that vegetables and fruits should be washed thoroughly before consuming them and water boiled before drinking. 

Olugbogi advised that proper washing of utensils such as spoons, cups, plates, glass cups, mugs, before eating with them.

“Cholera is transmitted from contaminated hand to mouth; so, if we can clean our hands, utensils and any item containing things that we put in our mouth, then we can prevent cholera from spreading,” he said. 

Data from Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) show that Nigeria recorded no fewer than 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths from Jan. 1 to June 11, 2024 in 30 states, NAN reports.

Lagos State on June 11,  alerted residents that the state had recorded an excess report of severe gastroenteritis cases leading to 60 hospitalisations and five deaths mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on June 15,  disclosed that laboratory tests confirmed that the outbreak was due to cholera with the identified strain being highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread transmission.

As at June 20, Lagos cholera outbreak had increased to 21 fatalities and 401 infections from multiple LGAs in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AIO/CHOM/VIV

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Vivian Ihechu

Blood

By Carol V. Utulu

Asaba, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The management of Government Specialist Hospital, Asaba has announced plans to set up a 24-hour Walk-in Blood Donor Unit in the hospital.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital (CMD), Dr Peace Ighosewe made this known on Thursday in Asaba during a blood drive campaign organised by the hospital in commemoration of the 2024 World Blood Donor Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plan is part of the hospital’s campaign to create more awareness about the importance of blood donation.

Ighosewe said that the management of the hospital would make the blood drive campaign a frequent exercise due to the increase in demand for blood donation by patients in the hospital.

The medical director further said that the hospital would provide easy access for willing donors and ensure the timely availability of blood for patients in need.

She noted that it had become imperative to have a walk-in blood donor unit in the hospital due to the increasing demand by people willing to donate blood.

On the blood donor campaign, Ighosewe said she was greatly impressed with the turnout of donors who thronged the hospital to make voluntary blood donations as a result of the blood drive.

She revealed that staff of the hospital, from doctors to nurses as well as members of the cleaning and security units, came out to donate in support of the lifesaving cause.

The medical director expressed gratitude to the Delta State Government for providing an enabling environment for their work.

“I also commend the State Ministry of Health, led by Dr Joseph Onojaeme, for the support and commitment to the success of the blood drive.

“I commend my dedicated team of Medical Laboratory Scientists, led by the HOD, Faith Emetonjor, for the exceptional work in planning and executing the project.

“My appreciation also goes to members of the management team and organising committee and all the 46 amazing donors, particularly donors who are staff of the hospital,” Ighosewe said.

According to the CMD, the hospital is poised to revolutionise blood donation and patient care in the state, with the planned setting up of a blood donor unit.

Faith Emetonjor, the Head, Medical Laboratory Science Department of the hospital who spoke to newsmen at the event, said the blood drive was organised to celebrate old donors and encourage new people to donate.

Emetonjor reassured donors that comprehensive medical checks have been put in place to ensure their safety and blood products, with two functional blood banks.

She announced the availability of a refrigerated centrifuge in the facility, to ensure proper storage and utilisation of the units of blood donated.

A blood donor, Mr Emeka Nwangwu, a businessman who was at the event, said he felt morally obligated to donate blood.

“I brought my daughter to the hospital for immunisation unknowing to me that today is World Blood Donor Day.

“However, on getting here and seeing the blood drive, I felt it was part of my responsibility to volunteer and help save lives by donating to this cause,” he said.

Nwangwu called on Nigerians to come forward and donate blood to patients in need to save lives.

A staff of the Asaba Specialist Hospital, Mr Chukwuebuka Obidike who was one of the 46 donors, told NAN in an interview that he had been a regular donor.

“I am a frequent donor and I have been doing this for a while now. When I saw the announcement for a blood drive I decided to come and donate,” he said.

NAN reports that the Asaba Specialist Hospital is dedicated to making blood donation a quarterly moral responsibility, thereby encouraging everyone to participate. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CVU/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Regular eye examination vital for preventing Glaucoma-induced blindness — Opthalmologist

Glaucoma

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

Ibadan, June 20, 2024 (NAN) An Opthalmologist at Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, Prof. Affiong Ibanga, has urged Nigerians to always do regular eye examination for early detection of Glaucoma.

She also stressed on appropriate treatment to prevent blindness that could result from the disease.

Ibanga made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a lecture during a Glaucoma awareness seminar organised by Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan.

The professor of Glaucoma Care and Research at the Eleta Institute spoke on the topic “Unlocking the mysteries of Glaucoma – all you need to know”.

She urged people to make it a habit to visit the eye doctor and have their eyes checked yearly.

The professor said that early eye screening and treatment would prevent the eye from deteriorating.

She emphasised that glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, adding that screening for glaucoma is important for early detection and treatment.

According to her, glaucoma is a group of diseases that can cause damage to the optic nerve and the inability of the fluid produced in the front of the eye to drain normally.

She noted that it was possible for one to have glaucoma and not know until it was too late, while compliance with care could help prevent blindness in people with glaucoma.

The opthalmologist also noted that glaucoma symptoms include blurry vision, poor night vision, bumping into objects, among others.

“One thing about glaucoma is that it has no cure, we have to diagnose it early and manage it appropriately because the blindness caused by it is irreversible.

“It can be managed through the use of eye drops, tablets and surgery can be done too.

“To prevent vision loss, there is also need to control systematic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, use protective eyewear, eat plenty of leafy vegetables and coloured fruits,” she said.

The chairman of Eleta Eye Foundation, Dr Gboyega Ajayi, remarked that glaucoma is a condition that could destroy the eye without the person knowing it.

“If a person comes to the clinic complaining of poor vision, if it’s not other eye diseases, glaucoma is likely the case.

“Early detection of it is very important, we are creating awareness for glaucoma to prevent blindness from Glaucoma because blindness from it is irreversible.

,”We invited our patients to interact with them so that they can ask questions on issues bothering them, our aim is to reduce the burden caused by this terrible eye disease,” he said.

One of the Glaucoma patients who preferred to be anonymous thanked the Eye Institute for helping him to manage the situation.

He urged people to always visit eye doctors for proper examination.

“If I visited an eye doctor earlier, one my eyes might not have gone, so early detection of it and following the adequate management such as they give at the institute will surely help,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CC/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Voluntarily donated blood safer, secured – Hematologist

Blood
By Lilian U. Okoro
Lagos, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Titi Adeyemo, a Consultant Haematologist, says voluntarily donated blood is safer and more secured than blood donated by relatives of the patient who needs blood.

Adeyemo, an Associate Professor from the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

She decried that Nigeria still heavily relied on family replacement donor, where relatives of the patient were forced to donate blood.

She explained that only five per cent of blood donation in Nigeria was voluntary, saying that 95 per cent of blood used in Nigeria were donated by family relatives of patients who were already sick.

According to her, advanced countries are 100 per cent voluntary blood donation by people who do not know who needs them.

“It is still a challenge that Nigeria still rely on family replacement donor and that people are still not donating enough.

“So, were are forced to rely on family replacement donor; where sick patients would have to bring a family relative to come and donate blood. It shouldn’t be like that.

“Advanced countries are 100 per cent voluntary blood donation; so, every unit of blood that is used in the first world country is donated voluntarily by people who did not know who needs them.

“Only five per cent of blood donation in Nigeria is voluntary, 95 per cent of blood used in Nigeria are donated by relatives of patients who are already sick,” she said

Adeyemo noted that voluntarily donated blood was not only safe, but also secured and more reliable because it gives opportunity for the donor to openly disclose any underlying health condition; which would be treated before the blood donation.

She added that voluntary blood donation created room for full examination and screening of the donor to ascertain his/her fitness for the exercise.

“When relatives who are already stressed and running around to pay hospital bills are forced to donate blood, there maybe some medical history and underlying ailments they will not disclose, making the donated blood unsafe for people to use.

“But, when people are coming forward voluntarily to donate blood, they are going to openly disclose their medical history and we can use that opportunity to guide them to getting treatment and telling them whether they are fit to donate or not.

“If they are fit to donate; and that blood is coming from them voluntarily, it is already well documented that is a more safer blood for the people who need blood.

“So, voluntary blood donation is safer blood than blood you collect from a family relative,” Adeyemo said.

According to her, having a blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system.

The hematologist stressed that ensuring safe and sufficient blood supplies requires the development of a nationally coordinated blood transfusion service based on voluntary non-remunerated blood donations.

According to her, there is a need for a lot of advocacy on voluntary blood donation on a regular basis, because blood from family relatives or a-paid donor cannot necessarily be trusted.

Adeyemo said people need to know that they have to donate blood, as one would not know whose life they may be saving, especially with the high cases of accidents and emergencies from disasters and insurgency.

She, therefore, urged people not to wait for an emergency before they start donating blood.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LUC/VI

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Plateau health agency engages stakeholders for  enhanced service delivery

Enhancement

By Blessing Odega

Jos, June 20, 2024 (NAN)2024 (NAN) The Plateau State Contributory Health Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), has held a stakeholders engagement with various healthcare facilities in the state on ways to improve enrollees service delivery and satisfaction in their facilities.

The Director – General (D-G) of PLASCHEMA, Dr Agabus Manasseh, on Thursday in Jos, said the meeting was also an avenue to reflect on their achievements and to chart a path towards a more integrated, efficient healthcare delivery system in the state.

Agubus, who was represented by Mrs Evelyn Dantak, the agency’s Director Human Resources and Administration, said that the engagement was imperative to discuss the progress in the implementation of the Plateau  Social Health Insurance Scheme and its challenges.

He further said that the meeting would also boost the agency’s relationship with its service providers.

Agubus, commended the various healthcare facilities for providing qualitative services to the enrollees .

The D-G called for active participation and constructive dialogue among attendees.

One of the participants, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr Lenkop Danlami, the Medical Director, Hwolshe Medical centre, said the engagement organised by PLASCHEMA was salient and should be done periodically to enable service providers have regular  interface  with the agency .

NAN, reports that healthcare facilities, stand alone laboratories and community pharmacies affiliated to the agency were in attendance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

UBO/YGA

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Edited by Gabriel Yough

Cholera 

By Oluwafunke Ishola 

Lagos, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Government says the number deaths from cholera outbreak in the state has increased from 15 to 21, while infections  increased to 401 from 350. 

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, said the rise in cases was anticipated following the Eid-el Kabir celebration, in which large gatherings occurred.

Ogunyemi made the disclosure in an update released by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director, Public Affairs in the state’s ministry of health on Thursday in Lagos. 

She said the cases increased to 401 across Lagos, with Lagos Island, Kosofe, and Eti Osa recording the highest numbers of infections.

Ogunyemi, however, noted that suspected cases are subsiding across local government areas (LGAs), particularly in previously affected LGAs due to state government’s interventions and surveillance efforts.

She gave the update on the outbreak after meeting with members of the Lagos State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC).

“The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Environment and its agency, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), continues to collect samples of water sources, food, and beverages to identify the source of contamination. 

“We have also intensified our surveillance activities in communities, particularly in affected local government areas, to address the situation head-on.

“We are also working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, as well as the Ministry of Tertiary Education to ensure all precautions are taken in our schools to protect children and scholars as they return. 

“Residents must, however, remain vigilant, practice good hand hygiene, and participate in community sanitation activities to stop the spread of cholera,” she said. 

Ogunyemi advised citizens to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general malaise and fever.

She added that treatment for cholera was provided free of charge at all public health facilities.

Ogunyemi reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that residents of Lagos receive quality and affordable health care.

The Special Adviser commended local, national, and international partners—including UNICEF, WHO, NCDC, NIMR, Red Cross, and others—for their support in combating the outbreak.

“Appreciation is also extended to the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, environmental health officers, Water Corporation officers, surveillance officers, heads of agencies, members of PHEOC, and volunteers who are working around the clock to combat the disease and keep Lagos safe,” Ogunyemi said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lagos on June 11 alerted residents that the state had recorded an excess report of severe gastroenteritis cases. 

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on June 15 disclosed that laboratory tests have confirmed that the outbreak was due to cholera with the identified strain being highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread transmission.

Abayomi disclosed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in the state.

According to him, there are 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation at health facilities.

Data from Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showed that Nigeria recorded over 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases of cholera, resulting in over 30 deaths from January 1 to June 11, 2024 in 30 states. (NAN) 

AIO//VIV

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Prevention

By Adepote Arowojobe
Ikorodu (Lagos State), June 20, 2024 (NAN) Mrs Grace Adesola, Director, Health Education and Promotion Board, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, on Thursday advised residents to take preventive measures of cholera seriously.

Adesola gave the advise in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the inauguration of Standing Committee on sensitisation of cholera in Ikorodu, Lagos.

She said the disease was basically caused by what we eat and injecte into our body system.

Adesola urged residents to ensure that their source of water was safe for drinking.

According to her, some of the preventive measures would include: ensuring safe drinking water by boiling, chlorinating safe bottle water, maintaining proper sanitation and safe disposing of feaces.

Others are, to stop open defecation, practice personal hygiene by washing hands with soap regularly, ensure food safety by preparing, cooking and storing of food against flys, avoid raw fruits except when washed by safe water.

“If all these are  put in place, cholera outbreak will be curtailed in Lagos state,” she said.

Adesola said that the board had intensified its surveillance and notification officers to go into communities to know the immediate causes of the disease and people affected, to match  with  records gathered from hospitals and healthcare centres.

“After going through reports from our general hospitals and health centres, we have to intensify our  officers to go into the communities to know if more people are affected and the immediate causes.

“So far, we have recorded some deaths, while some are recovering others  have been discharged from the hospitals.

“We still want to inform  residents of Lagos state that cholera outbreak is real,” she added.

According to her, 12 out of 20 local government are already affected at various communities.

She added that only four cases have been treated at the General Hospital in Ikorodu, with no death recorded.

Adesola said that the ministry had leveraged on various stages of sensitisation to initiate the public about the disease and how to curb its outbreak.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

ADEX/EOB/EAL
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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Ekemini Ladejobi

Optometrist urges post-operative management in cataract surgery

Surgery

By Edeki Igafe

Warri (Delta), June 20, 2024 (NAN) An Optometrist, Dr Comfort Omo-Irabor, said there was a need  for a post-operative management of cataract surgery to avoid further complications on the patient.

She stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Warri.

Omo-Irabor, the managing director of a private eye clinic in Warri, said that most conditions were left worse after the surgery due to lack of post-operative management of the patient.

The eye specialist and consultant in low vision noted that most times, cataract surgery was sponsored by the government and Non-Governmental Organisations.

The optometrist urged the government to always do a follow up in whatever programme it is sponsoring in the health sector.

“There is a need for post-operative management of a cataract surgery otherwise, at the end, you will leave the patient worse than he or she was before the operation.

“Before the surgery, the patient complained he cannot see but after the surgery, because there is no post-operative management, he will be having other complications like pains, headache and others,” she said.

Omo-Irabor urged the government to always put adequate logistics in place in whatever programme it does in the health sector, to enable people to reap the benefits of the initiative.

According to her, the government could only be seen as supportive when what they initiated is actually yielding the desired results.

She said that this could only be possible when there were different teams handling the programme.

“Whenever the government is having a plan that is health-related, especially those that have to do with surgery, it should ensure the whole process is fully taken care of.

“You could have the main team conducting the surgery, the monitoring team and the post-operative management team.

“After the surgery, you do not leave the patients on the streets. This is something the government has not really thought about,” she said.

The optometrist said that lack of proper monitoring of patients after surgery could lead to frustration and by implications, mental health and urged the government to do the needful. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

EDI/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Cholera

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

Calabar, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Dr Henry Ayuk, the Cross River Commissioner for Health, says the state has activated an emergency response team that will respond to any threat of cholera outbreak in the state.

The commissioner made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday.

He said that although the state has not witnessed any cholera case since the current outbreak was reported, there was one recorded death associated with cholera around March 2024.

He added that “there was an outbreak of the disease in Obubura and Biase local government areas between February and April, with one death recorded during the outbreak.

“That was about the only time we had case of cholera outbreak in this state.”

On the current outbreak in some states, Ayuk said “we have already adopted the guidelines provided by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

“As part of our preparedness, we have reactivated our public health emergency response team at the state and local government levels for prompt response.

“We are increasing surveillance in the state and also educating communities on the need to report any case of diarrhea.

“We particularly focused on the riverine areas where we have designated hot spots such as Etung, Abi, Obubura, Biase and part of Yakurr local government areas.”

There have been reported cases of cholera outbreak in 30 states of the federation, and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has urged state governments to prioritise access to and use of safe water, basic sanitation and proper hygiene practices in communities.

In a comprehensive advisory released to the public, healthcare workers and state governments, the centre reported a total of 1,141 suspected cases of cholera, with 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 96 local government areas in 30 states from Jan. 1 to June 11.

The NCDC highlighted that 10 states—Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos—account for 90 per cent of the cholera burden in the country.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

ESI/AAA/HA

Editedby Aisha Ahmed/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu